Elk Creek -Erie County PA Nov. 24th

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Erie County Pennsylvania
Elk Creek: Erie County

Some stain but clear. Water temp 38*.

Could have more flow for the conditions.


Started the day in Mckane on Elk Creek spent a few hours there very few fish in the the holes and pocket water, Decided to move down stream Fished Legion area up stream to the Pavilion. Once more very few fish. Moved once more down stream to Boro Park and the same result.
I fished the Boro Park area 3 weeks ago and there seamed to have been a run, area had some fish in it and fisherman where catching fish.
IMO it looks like the stream has not received any new fish.
This has been the worse mid November I can remember on Elk.

PS: Poor fishing but much better than working! 😉
 
Thanks for the report. I’ve given up on PA tribs. I don’t believe it’s a lack of fish returning as much as it is poor management of the fishery that has led to the decline. Three fish limit is way to generous and the yellow rope gang take their limit and don’t believe in limiting your take. I also partly blame places like places like Poor Richards for making it too easy for guys to get smoked fish without any work. My opinion is more people would release them if they had to smoke them themselves.
 
I have to agree.
The 3 stiff fish limit makes my stomach flop and a run to the pot.

The smoking and 3 fish limit is all about politics up here with these bait/smoke houses.
 
The Erie steelhead fishery has noticeably declined in Ohio and NY as well. It may very well be time to change the limit, but I see it as a response to a separate problem. I think there is more going on then just anglers roping a lot of fish.
 
I've only been to Erie twice. The first time the fishing was fantastic and the second time I didn't catch a fish. It was different times of the year and as we all know fishing and fish habits can change in a hurry. I have no evidence as to if the fishing has declined or whatnot since I'm "green around the gills" in regards to Erie. I also don't know if the limits are liberal or not. But, I do think that we shouldn't condemn the act of keeping fish. We can voice our opinion that it should be one of two fish, however.
 
I agree with Kev.. It's a Great Lake and it can be pretty difficult to positively identify the cause and effect of ups and downs in fish populations or (perhaps even more importantly) their locations or why they go where they go or do what they do at any given point in time. It's a huge system. Allegedly over-liberal limits may be a factor, but if forced to bet one way or the other, my bet would be they are a minor factor.
 
I just spent a couple days up on the Oak and surrounding tribs. It's really really slow up there too but that's a complete separate drainage system. It's hard to say what it is this year that has the runs and fish so sluggish. Hopefully we have more of a return to normal next year.

Thanks for the report though! I'm looking to make a trip up there once this coming week weather permitting before i have a knee operation and I'm done for the season
 
Doubt it is the three fish limit. There is no natural/very limited natural reproduction. I would guess it is simply less fish returning to the streams. The walleye pop is currently BOOMING in the lake and I am talking in the 5+ lb weight, those fingerlings are probably taking a hurting coming into the big lake.

Back when I fished the tribs a whole lot more the walleye population was orders of magnitude smaller. I remember having to work most of the day for a 4 man limit with my uncle, now the 4 of us limit out in under an hour, not counting the run out and back. As many people as there are that keep a limit of fish, it does not compare to the damage a strong walleye population can do to the runs.
 
Lots of the returning steelhead are good size this year. Would make sense that the walleye are taking out the young ones the past few years.
 
I think that the huge Walleye population is the reason for the decline on Erie.Those eyes are predators and the smolts are just the right size for them.10 years ago the Erie tribs was a Steelhead Fantasy land,now it is not worth the drive anymore.
 
I did a couple days last week (fri sat) and while the water was up and then down, during the sweet spot I saw a couple pinners rope six fish from one of the only spots holding fish. I hooked a handful in lesser water. While the next day I was able to get in at first light on the pinned hole and catch a few, it was slow here after. What I did notice was when I went to poor Richards for a net there was a line of guys with stringers swapping out for smoked fish.

Sure is easy to keep fish now, no cleaning, mess, just drop em off and pick up your smoked steelhead.

I think that encourages harvest when otherwise folks would keep less.

If less are returning with fewer run events, harvest can be considered more significant.

It’s more of a real experience as opposed to twenty years ago when 20 fish days were not uncommon.

Still a thrill to tussle with them. It’s just you have to pick your days after a rain and run. Not everyone can do that so they try to make something outta nothin. Then complain.
 
I am o’fer for steelhead season. In three days.


Zero hook ups or even a fish seen. Heck you’d think you’d kick A fish up wading hundreds of yards of stream. Now I didn’t go with ideal conditions but the first trip- the two teenagers caught a couple and they were fresh ones. Arrow pointed down. I used to fish in September but the water has been so low it’s more like late October these days.
 
Are smoked steelhead any good to eat? I ate a king salmon i caught from lake ontario years ago and it was disgusting. It never ceases to amaze me what people will eat because they can catch it and its free
 
Smoked steelhead are OK, IMO. Better than a sharp stick in the eye and gum disease, but not as good as Brussels Sprouts, which aren't very good...

It's pretty potent stuff though, at least according to my palate and digestive system. A 2" x 2" piece is about all I can eat at one time.

If I'm going to eat Lake Erie steelhead, I'll usually skin a piece of a filet, brush it with olive oil, salt pepper and a little garlic powder and then broil it to a medium crispy brown on top. Not bad.. Better than a sinus headache and almost as good as ground Lake Erie sucker patties.
 
The key to a good steelhead filet is milk. Take your filet and put it in a ziplock baggie with milk overnight. Then season it or marinate it to your taste. It takes the fishy taste out.

This works for any fishy tasting fish even stocked trout, wild trout don’t seem to need it and Brookies are fabulous just broiled in butter and bacon. (Or so I’ve heard) :-D :hammer: 😛int:
 
Like stated earlier, there is link between the walleye population and the steelhead population, when one explodes, the other falls, and the fisher of one jumps with joy, while the fisher of the other bitches and moans. It's been going on for decades. The ebb and flow of a not exactly natural fishery.

When the steelhead fishing is decent, I make the hour drive, when it isnt, I don't waste my time. It isn't hard to determine, tons of reports and such to determine if it's worthwhile. And never, ever go on a weekend!!! no matter the reports!!
 
Sounds like i need to find a way to get some walleye fishing in on Erie! They are fun to catch and EXCELLENT to eat!
 
timmyt2 wrote:
Sounds like i need to find a way to get some walleye fishing in on Erie! They are fun to catch and EXCELLENT to eat!
Click to expand...

Yep. You don't even need to waste any perfectly good milk. Just fillet and cook in whichever way suits your fancy.
 
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